Run, Rise, Run

Look at today's beautiful fox-like rodent swan dive from Rudy. What form!!!

Jack has already lunged off trail after detecting rodents under the snow.
Once Rudy noticed Jack, it was "Incoming!" to join the rodent hunt from Rudy.

Today's skijor found us doing the upper Preston Loop at Gold Run Nordic Center 3 times. Typically, we'll only do this loop twice as Jack & Rudy sometimes object to repeating a trail three times. But, the side trails we usually use to add distance to our outings at Gold Run were slick and icy from recent warm days and cold nights. So, I decided to try and convince my partners to do the upper Preston Loop 3 times. Here we go...

Pass 1: perfect of course :)

Missile Jack next to Cannonball Rudy.
Note the trail fence ahead (up from Jack's head).

Pass 2: perfect again. I've mentioned in the past that Jack & Rudy will redo a section of trail but always switch sides if we do. It is a different trail if you are on the left one pass and then the right the next pass (and vice versa) - different things to hear/see in one side of the forest versus the other :)

Missile Rudy next to Cannonball Jack on the second pass.
Note the trail fence showing we are at about the same location as
the first pass photo.

Pass 3: third verse same as the first... It took a little convincing on my part for them to restart the loop a third time. But, once started they were back to pass one configuration and flying again.

Catching air on pass 3 and there's that trail fence to show that we are
once again at the same location as the photos for pass 1 and 2.

Now come along for our video highlight from the first pass. We start the clip flying along the fast groomed trail. Then, about 40 seconds into the clip, we all slow slightly for a little rise in the trail. Jack & Rudy know this trail and I always slow down on this rise to catch my breath (so they do too). Why catch my breath? Well, because on the other side of this rise is a short but steep vertical drop in the trail. As we exit the rise and enter the drop, watch Jack & Rudy take off again. Zoom!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the rodent dive. What happens after Rudy lifts into his high arching swan dive?

Tuck at the high point of your swan dive, just like an Olympic diver or a fox.

After 3 laps on the Preston Loop, it was time to return to the trailhead. All smiles from the fast kids as they quickly tow me past Nancy on the way to the finish. Wheeee!

Trucking!

A rare 3 passes on one trail, but the conditions warranted it! 10.3 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 25 MPH.

2022/2023 Season to Date: 79 days on the trails covering 690.1 miles with 62,650 feet of elevation climbed.